Combination lock apparatus having lock elements with alignable openings



Sept. 27, 1966 J. ETHINGTON 3,275,763

COMBINATION LOCK APPARATUS HAVING LOCK ELEMENTS WITH ALIGNABLE OPENINGSFiled Sept. 26, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PAUL J ETH/A/G 70M Sept.27, 1966 P.J. ETHINGTON COMBINATION LOCK APPARATUS HAVING LOCK ELEMENTSWITH ALIGNABLE OPENINGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 26, 1963 INVENTOR.PQC/L vi ETH/MGTG'IL/ Sept. 27, 1966 P. J. ETHINGTON 3,275,763

COMBINATION LOCK APPARATUS HAVING LOCK ELEMENTS WITH ALIGNABLE OPENINGSFiled Sept. 26; 1963 a Sheets-Sheet 5 III INVENTOR PAUL J ETH/A/G TO/L/United States Patent 3,275,763 COMBINATION LOCK APPARATUS HAVING LOCKELEMENTS WITH ALIGNABLE OPENINGS Paul J. Ethington, 1418 WashingtonBlvd., Birmingham, Mich. Filed Sept. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 311,859 Claims.(Cl. 200-43) This invention relates generally to combination locks andmore particularly to an improved combination lock assembly of a typeadapted to lock a member extending through the lock in a desiredposition.

The combination lock assembly of this invention is particularly usefulin locking a lever actuated switch, such as a toggle switch, of the typecommonly used on power tools, in an o position. A lock assembly forpreventing children and other unauthorized persons from actuating theswitches on power tools, which provides for quick operation of the toolsby authorized personnel, is desirable. It is an object of thisinvention, therefore, to provide an improved combination lock assemblywhich is usable for the above and similar purposes, is readilyattachable to a standard lever actuated switch, and is simple andcoupling assembly of code elements in a combination lock device.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from a consideration of the following description, the appendedclaims, and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the combination lock assembly ofthis invention, shown in assembly relation with a toggle switch mountedon a frame, only a fragmentary portion of which is shown, and showingthe switch in an ofif position;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the structure shown inFIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the structure shown in FIG. illustrating theswitch in an -on position;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, illustrated similarly to FIG. 2 showingthe lock in a position permitting movement of the switch to an onposition, and showing the switch actuating lever in the on position insolid lines and in the off position in broken lines;

FIGURE 15 is an elevational view of one of the lock elements in the lockassembly of this invention;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of another one of the lock elements inthe lock assembly of this invention;

FIGURE 7 is a front view of the lock assembly of this invention showingthe switch of FIG. 1 in an oil posit1on;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional View of a modified form of the lock assembly ofthis invention, showing the assembly mounted on a toggle switch shown inan off position in solid lines and in an on position in broken lines;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 8,looking substantially along the line 99 in FIG. 8;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of another modified form of the lockassembly of this invention, showing the assembly mounted on a toggleswitch as in the FIG. 2 illustration of the first form of the lockassembly of this invention; and

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the slip coupling of code elements in thelock assembly shown in FIG. 10.

With reference to the drawing, the lock assembly of this invention,indicated generally at 10, is illustrated in FIG. 1 in assembly relationwith a lever actuated switch unit 12 mounted on a frame 14, which may bethe frame of a power tool or the like. The switch unit 12, which is3,275,763 Patented Sept. 27, 1966 shown in detail in FIG. 11, is of theconventional toggle type having a bat handle shape actuating lever 16mounted on a switch body 12a and movable between a pair of switchoperating positions illustrated as the on position shown in solid linesin FIG. 4 and the off position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4. A ball 2(FIG. 10) on the inner end of the lever 16 is rotatably supported in asocket '3 and a spring pressed pin 4 extends inwardly from the ball 2into engagement with a curved arm 5 which rocks on a pivot 6. A contact7 is electrically connected at all times to the arm 5 which carries acontact 8 at one end engageable with another contact 9. In the switchunit 12, which is conventional, the shape of the arm 5 provides a snapaction to movement of the lever 16 so that whenever it is moved past thecenter of pivot 6 in one direction it automatically completes itsmovement in that direction. When the lever 16 is in the position shownin FIG. 10, switch unit 12 is off because contacts 8 and 9 are spaced,and when lever 16 is moved to position the pin 4 on the opposite side ofpivot 6, contact 8 is moved into engagement with contact 9 so thatswitch unit 12 is on. The lever 16 is thus pivotally movable between twostable positions, corresponding to on and off conditions of switch unit12, and is movable through a center unstable position midway between onand off which defines the switch axis. The switch unit 12 also includesan externally threaded hollow stud 18 which projects through an opening17 in the frame 14.

The lock unit 10 includes a body or housing 19 which consists of agenerally cup-shape base 20 having a cover 21 rotatably supportedthereon so as to define a space or chamber therebetween. For convenienceof description the base side of the housing 19 is hereinafter referredto as the inner side and the cover side is referred to as the outerside. The base 20 has an inner or bottom wall 23 and an annular axiallyextending flange 22 provided at its outer end with a radially outwardlyextending circumferential projection 24. A dial indicator or arrow 26 issecured to one point on the flange 22. The base 20 has an axially offsetor eccentric tapped opening 28 which is threaded onto the switch stud 18until base 20 is moved into engagement with the outer face of the frame14 in mounting the lock assembly 10 on the toggle switch unit 12. A setscrew 30 extends through a threaded opening 32 in the base and isextendable into an opening 34 in the frame 14 for maintaining the base20 in a fixed position on the frame 14. As an alternative to forming theopening 34 in frame 14, the set screw 30 may be of reduced length andmay be extended until it frictionally engages and bites into outer faceof frame 14.

An annular washer-type spring 36 is positioned in the base 20 so that itis against inner wall 23, is closely adjacent or engages the flange 22,and is spaced from opening 28. A first lock element or blocking plate38, of a generally disc shape and of a diameter such that it isrotatably supported on the flange 22, is positioned in the base 20 sothat its inner side engages the outer side of spring 36. A spacer washer40 engages the lock element 38 and has a tooth or radial projection 42(FIG. 3) disposed in a notch 44 in the base flange 22 to maintain thewasher 40 againstrrotation within the base 20. A second lock element orblocking plate 46 engages the spacer 40.

The lock element 46 is substantially identical to the lock element 38 inthat it is of a diameter to be rotatably supported on the base flange22. A second spacer washer 48, identical to the washer 40, is positionedagainst the lock element 46 and has a projection 50 which fits in thegroove 44 to maintain the spacer 48 in a fixed position within the base20 so that it does not rotate.

The cover member 21 is rotatably supported on the base flange 20'and hasa flange 54 which is spun over the base projection 24 so as to maintainthe cover 21 in a rotatably supported position on the base 20.Indicating numerals, from 1 to 12 in the illustrated embodiment-of theinvention, are formed on the flange 54 as shown in FIG. 1 and asillustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 7.

It can thus be seen that the spring washer 36 maintains the lockelements 38 and 46 and the spacers 40 and 48 in a stacked relation in thspace within the housing 19 between the base 20 and the cover 21. Thespring 36 maintains adjacent elements inthe stack'in sufficiently tightengagement to maintain them againstrelative axial movement but thespring strength is also sufiiciently low that relative rotation betweenadjacent elements inthe stack is readily obtained.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lock element 38 is formed on its outer flat sideor face 56 with an axially extending projection or tooth A. The element38 is alsoprovided with an opening or slot 60, illustrated as being ofgenerally keyhole shape, which is eccentrically located with respect tothe axis 62 of thelook element 38. The lockelement 46 (FIG- 6) is formedon its inner face with an axially extending projection B, which isspaced the same distance from the axis 66 of the element 46 as thedistance the projection A is spaced iromthe axis 62 of the element 38.As shown in FIG. 2, the projections A and B are of a. length greaterthan half the thickness of the spacer 40 so that they are engageablewith each other on relative Iotation of the lock elements 38 and 46. Theopposite or outer face 68 of the lock element 46 is provided with anaxial projection C, and the lock element 46 likewise has an opening orslot 70, illustrated as being of a generally keyhole shape, which isalso eccentric with respect to the element axis 66.

The cover 21 is formed on its inner side 72 with an axial projection Dwhich is disposed on the same radius as the projection C. on the lookelement 46. The cover 21 also has a slot or opening 74 formed therein,illustrated as being of generally keyhole shape, which is likewiseeccentric with respect to the axis 76 of the cover 21.

It can thus'be seen that the cover 21-is rotatable to, a

position in which the tooth D engages the tooth C on the lock element 46so that upon further rotation of the cover 21 in the same direction, thelock element 46 is rotated by the cover 21., Likewise, the lock element46 is rotatable, by the cover 21, to a position in which the tooth Bthereon engages the tooth A on the lock eleinent38 so that upon furtherrotation of the cover 21 in the same direction, both the lock elements46 and 38 are rotated with the cover 21.

In FIG. 2, the lock elements 38 and 46 and the cover 21 are illustratedin positions in which their slots 60, 70 and 74, respectively, areinsubstantial alignment and have their major axes extending in adirection radially from the axis of the housing 19 such that access tothe set screw 30 through the slots 60, 70 and-74 may be obtained toinstall the lock'assembly on the switch unit 12.1In this position of thelock elements 38 and 46 and the cover 21, all-three of these members arein positionsblocking movement of the lever 16 from its off positionillustrated in FIG. 2 toward its on position illustrated in FIG. 4 insolid lines. Whenany one of the members 38,

46 and 21 is in a position otherthan a position in which the slots 60,70 and 74, respectively, therein extend in a direction substantiallyparallel to the direction 'of the throw of lever 16, illustrated asstraight downwardlyin the embodiment shown in the drawing, that memberwill effectively block movement of the lever 16 into its on positionshown in FIG. 4. This blocking function is ac,- complished by the sizeand shape of slots 60, 70 and 74 because each of a width less than onehalf the throw of the lever 16 in the plane of each of the slots. Inother words, the maximumwidth of a slot is less than thedistance betweena stable and an axial position of lever 16.

' Consequently, in order to enable the switch unit 12 to be moved to aclosedposition, by moving the lever-16 from its 011 to its on position,it is necessary to position the lock elements 38' and 46 and the cover21 in substantially the position illustrated in FIG. 4 in which theslots60, 70 and 74 provide clearance for the lever 16 to be thrown fromitsoff to its on position because each slot is of alengthgreater thanthe throw of lever16 in the plane of the slot. In other words, only inthe positions of the lock elements 38 and 46 and the :cover21;

shown in FIG. 4, are all of these members out of the path of movement ofthe lever 16 during movement from itsbfi to its on position. The lever.16 is conveniently. 1

the position illustrated in FIG. 5. The cover 21 is then rotated in areverse direction until the lock element 46 is positioned as shown inFIGS. 4 and 6. Finally,.the direction of rotation ofthe cover 21 isagain reversed and it is rotated until it is in the position shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. The combination of the lock assembly 10 determines theposition to which the cover 21' is rotated during each rotation thereof.The combination of the .look assembly 10 is determined by the locationof the teeth A, B, C, and D, the teeth A, B; and C being convenientlyformed in the look elements 38 and 46. by punching the lock elements soas to project the material from which the lock elements are formed fromthe side or sides;thereof. Consequently, thelock elements 38 and 46constitute codej elements since the location ofthe teeth thereondetermines the lock code or combination.

The combination of the lock assembly 10 is determined f as follows,assumingthat the cover. 21 is numbered counterclockwise as illustrated;diagrammatically in FIG. 7. The three numbers in the combination willbedesignated X,Y and Z.

In the above formulas, A, B, C and D are the numbered positions of thecorrespondingly designated teeth when the lock assembly 10 is in itsposition illustrated in FIG. 4, namely, its unlocked position. Anumbered position of a tooth is determined by the number on cover 21intersected by a plane radiating from the axis ofhousing 19 and passingthrough the tooth. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention A=l2,B=8, C=3, and D=12 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6). Consequently, in the illustratedembodiment of the invention, the combination is -5, 15, 12. Applyingthis combination to the numbers on the cover 21,1116 combination is73;0. Thearrow 26 is utilized to indicatethenumber positions at whichthecover rotation [is stopped, and before stopping the cover :at thefirst number, it is rotated at least twice. to make certain that thelock element 38 is being driven by the cover 21.1.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, a modified form, indicated generally at 10a, of thecombination lock assembly of thislinven-z I tion is illustrated. Theassembly -10ais shown applied to.

aswitch unit 12,. of-toggle type, having a bat handle shape dimensionthan the .unit 10.

The unit 10a includes a housing 80 which consistsof a base 82 having anannular flange 84 and an eccentrically;

disposed tapped opening86 which is threaded onto the annular stud 18 inthe switchfunit;12 to a position in which the base 82 engages the frame14. A set screw 88 extends through a threaded opening 90 in the base 82into an opening 92 in the frame 14 so as to maintain the base 82 in afixed position on the frame 14. An indicator or arrow 94, fixed on thebase 82, is used for indicating moved positions of the lock unit a. Acover 96 having a flange 98 which is spun over the base flange 84 isrotatably mounted on the base 82 and cooperates with the base 82 todefine a space-or chamber therebetween.

Three lock elements, namely, an inner lock element 100, an intermediatelock element 102 and an outer lock element 104 are rotatably mounted onthe housing 80 and disposed within the chamber formed therein. The innerlock element 100 (FIG. 9) is of generally annular ring shape, having acentral axial opening 106, and is provided with a slot 108 which extendsradially outwardly from the opening 106 to the radially outer edge ofthe element 100. A projection or tooth 110 extends axially outwardlyfrom the outer face of the element 100 and is spaced from the inner sideof the cover 96.

The intermediate lock element 102, which is also of a generally annularring shape, having an axial opening 112 of a size slightly larger thanthe outer diameter of the inner lock element 100, likewise has a slot114 therein which is of substantially the same width as the slot 108 andextends radially from the opening 112 to the radially outer edge of theelement 102. A projection or tooth 116 on the outer side of the element102 projects toward the cover 96 into a closely spaced relationtherewith.

The outer lock element 104 is of annular shape having a central opening118 of a size slightly larger than the external diameter of the lockelement 102. The element 104 has a slot 120 formed therein which is ofsubstantially V shape as shown in FIG. 9. A projection or tooth 122 onthe outer side of the element 104 projects toward the cover 96 into aclosely spaced relation therewith at a position in which it isengageable by a corresponding projection or tooth 124 formed on theinner side of the cover It can thus be seen, that on rotation of thecover 96, the tooth 124 thereon is engageable with the tooth 122 so thatcontinuing rotation of the cover 96 in the same direction will providefor rotation of the element 104 in that direction. On rotation of thelock element 104, a drive pin 126 secured thereto so as to overlap thelock element 102 is engageable with the tooth 116 on the lock element102 so as to provide for rotation of the lock element 102 on furtherrotation of the lock element 104 in the same direction. A similar drivepin 128 on the lock element 102 overlaps the lock element 100 and isengageable with the tooth 110 thereon to provide for driving of the lockelement 100 by the lock element 102.

A lock block or key 130, of a width slightly less than the width of theslots 108 and 114 and having a generally V-shape nose or end section 132is positioned within the Opening 106 in the inner lock element 100 sothat it projects into the slot 108 in the element 100. The block 130 isof a length in a direction radially of the housing 80 such that it willnot project beyond the outer edge of the element 100 when it is disposedin the opening 106 so that it rides on the lever 16 as shown in brokenlines in FIG. 9.

The lever 16 is illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 8 in a positioncorresponding to the o T position of the switch 12. In order to permitmovement of the lever 16 to its on position, shown in broken lines inFIG. 8, it is necessary to move the lock elements 100, 102 and 104 tothe positions illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the slots 108, 114 and 120are in substantial alignment in a direction radially of the housing 80.If only the slots 108 and 114 are aligned, the lever 16 cannot be movedfar enough toward its on position to close the switch unit 12. With theslots 108, 114 and 120 aligned as shown in FIG. 9, the lever 16 is movedfrom its broken to its solid line position in FIG. 9 and during suchmovement it moves the slide block 130 through the aligned slots to aposition in which its V-shape end section 132 projects into the slot120. When the lever 16 is to be returned to its oil position, the cover124 is rotated to rotate the outer lock element 104 so that the edge ofthe slot rides against the edge of the nose section 132 of the block130. These edges then function as coacting cams so that the block isforced in a reverse direction through the aligned slots with suflicientmomentum to throw the lever 16 over center so that it returns to its offposition.

In order to position the lock elements 100, 102 and 104 in theirpositions illustrated in FIG. 9, the cover 96 is rotated through apredetermined combination, determined by the locations of the teeth 110,116, 122 and 124 and the pins 126 and 128, to first position the lockelement 100 in the position shown in FIG. 9. The combination lock cover96 is then rotated in an opposite direction to locate the lock element102, to another position to locate the lock element 104 and to a finalposition to locate a slot in the cover 96, like the slot 70 in the cover52 such that clearance is provided for the handle 16. Thus, a fournumber combination is provided for the unit 10a.

Another modified form of the lock assembly of this invention is shown inFIGS. 10 and 1.1 and indicated generally at 10b. The lock assembly 1% islikewise ilustrated mounted on the switch unit 12 described above.

The assembly 10b includes a housing which consists of an annular lockbody 152 and a support plate 154 which is secured, such as by spotwelding, to one side of the lock body 152. A cover member 156, ofgenerally circular shape, is positioned in a spaced relation with thesupport plate 154 and has a downturned flange 158 which engages theperiphery of the plate 154. A numeral sleeve 160, provided withindicating numerals (not shown) and formed of a material such asplastic, has an inner flange 162 which engages the support plate 154 andmaintains the cover member 1 56 in a supported relation on the supportplate 154. The sleeve 160 functions to maintain the cover 156 inassembly relation with the support plate 154 and has numerals formedthereon, like those shown on the cover 20, which are alignable with anindicator (not shown) like the indicator 26 previously described, formedon the lock body 152.

The cover 156 has an inwardly extending drive projection or tooth Dformed thereon, like the projection D on the cover 20. The support plate154 has a reference projection or tooth A which projects outwardly, likethe projection A on the locking element 56 previously described.

A slip coupling 166 is positioned in the housing between the supportplate 154 and the cover 156 and rotatably supported on the flange 158.The coupling 166 consists of a pair of lock or code elements 168 and1'70 which are of flat disc shape and are positioned in face-to-faceengagement with each other. A retainer rim or sleeve 172, formed of amaterial having low frictional characteristics such as a plasticmaterial, for example, polyethylene or nylon, extends about andfrictionally engages the outer peripheries of the code elements 168 and170. The rim 172 can have radially inwardly directed retaining flangesengaged with the outer faces of code elements 168 and 170. The retainerrim 172 and the code elements 1'68 and 170 are assembled prior toassembly with the other components of the unit 10b.

The code element 168 has a projection or tooth B projecting from theouter face thereof and which projects inwardly of the housing 150 forengagement with the projection A on the support plate 154. The othercode element 170 has a similar projection C which extends therefrom in adirection opposite to the direction in which the projection B extends,for engagement with the projection D on the cover 2 1. For economy ofmanufacture, the code elements 168 and 170 can be identical.

The rim 172 holds the code elements 168 and 170 in fixed relativepositions so that the code elements will rotate together as a unit,until the rotation of one of'thep elements is prevented, in which casethe elements rotate with respect to each other and at least one of theelements slips with respect to the rim 172 which is rotatably supportedon the housing 150. The elements 168 and 170 havekeyhole slots 180 whichare movable'to aligned positions when the-element 168 is prevented fromrotating and the element 170 is rotated; The cover- 156 also a keyholeslot 182.

When the length of the stud 18 permits, a retainer hex nut 184 isthreaded into engagement with frame 14. A captive hex nut 186 has aflange 188 rotatably supported on the body 152 so that when nut 186 istightened, supported plate 154 is moved axially into engagement with theouter end of stud 18.; A tang 190 on plate 154 is.

bent into a keyway 192 on stud -18 -to lock the plate 154 againstrotation relative to stud 18. p

In the operation of unit 126, sleeve 160 is manually grasped and rotatedso that projection D engages projection C so as to rotate coupling 166.When projection B engages projection A, rotation of code element 168 isstopped and element 170 rotates relative to element 168. When the first.combination number is reached, slot 180 in element 170 is aligned wtihelement 168. Sleeve 160 is. then rotated .in an opposite direction untilprojection D drive-s projection C to rotate coupling 166 to a positionin which slots 180 will permit movement of switch handle 16 to on?position; Sleeve 160 is then rotated in an opposite direction to aligncover slot 182 with slots 180.

From the above description it is seen that this invention providescombination lock assemblies 10, 10a and 1 10b that have openingsextending therethrough so that the assemblies can be mounted such thatthe actuating lever' or the like which is to be locked can be insertedthrough the lock assembly. It is to be understood that while theassemblies have been shown with a toggle switch unit 12, because theyare particularly adaptable to the locking of such units, they are usablewith any unit, switch or otherwise, having a member. which can-beextended through the lock assembly. The lock assemblies of thisinvention are readily mounted on existing toggle switches 12 by virtueof the provision of the eccentric openings in the assembly housings. Ingeneral the openings are positioned so that the axis of each of, thehousings will be locatedso that it extends through the portion of lever16 disposed in the housing, in the position of lever 16in which his tobe locked, illustrated in the drawingas ,the off position. I j g It willbe understood that the combination lock assemblies which are hereindisclosedv and described are presented for purposes of explanation andillustration and are not intended to indicate limits of the invention,the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a switch having an actuating member movablebetween a plurality of switch control positions, a combination lockassembly for locking said actuating member in one ofsaid positions, saidlockassembly comprising a housing having a substantially cupshape baseand a cover rotatably mounted on said base, means mounting said .base'onsaid switch so that said actuating member extendsthrongh saidhousing, aplurality of lock elements rotatably mounted on said base and positionedin said housing, each of said lock elements having an opening thereinthrough which said actuating member extends and being arranged relativeto said ac-.

tuating member such that in at least one rotated position of each lockelement it blocks movement of said actuating member out of said oneposition therefor and in another position of each lock element it is outof the path of movement of said actuating member, and coacting means onsaid cover and said lock elements providing for selective rotation ofsaid lock elements in response to rotation of said cover so that saidcover is operable on predeterlock assembly comprisinga housing mountedonsaid switch so, that said handle projects through said .housing, aplurality of superposed lock elementsrotatably mounted in said housing,engageable teeth formed ,at predetermined positions on saidlock'elements and providing for rotation of all of said elements inresponse to rotation .of

one of said elements in one direction, said one element being rotatablethrough agiven angle in an opposite direction independently of saidother elements,1each, of :said

lock elements normally blocking movement of said handle away from oneswitch control position of said handle and being movable toat leastone.position in-a clearance relation with said handle duringmovementthereof from said one to another control position, and means; onsaid housing for selectively rotating said one lock element so that eachof said lock elements can be moved to said one means on said covervoperable in response to rotation of.

said cover to move one of said elements which is in turn operable tomove another one of said elements, said cover means being operable inresponse to rotation thereof in locking said lever in the oil positionthereof, said lock assembly comprising ;a housinghaving a base mountedfirst one direction and then in the opposite direction to position saidelements such that the openings therein are substantially aligned- 4. Ina combination lock assembly, a housing having relatively :rotatableportions, a pair of coacting, locking discs disposed in said housing ina stacked relation, each of said discs. being of a circular shape andhaving an elongated opening therein; an annular ring rotatab'lysupported in, said housing and 'trictionally engaged withthe peripheriesofsaid discs so as to frictionally connectsaid discs, means drivinglyen-gageable with one disc to rotate said one disc, and means engageablewith the other disc to restrain rotationthereof in one. direction,actuating means on a portion of said housing operable in response torelative rotation of said housing portions to move one of said discswhichis in turn operable to. move said ring and the other one of saiddiscs, said housing portions being operable in response to relativerotation thereof in first one direction and then in the oppositedirection to first position said discs such that the openingstherein aresubstantially aligned, and then position said discs in predeterminedpositions relative to said housing. I

5. In combination with a control means provided with a pivotally movableactuating lever movable between on? and .ofi positions, a combinationlock assembly for on said control means ina fixed position surroundingsaid lever, a housing 'cover rotatably mounted on said base,

and having'an opening therein through. which said lever projects, saidcover: having at least a portion thereof spaced from said base so as toform an annular: chamber.

t-herebetween'surrounding said lever, 21 pair of lockjelee mentsrotatably supported on said housing and disposed in said chamber,saidlock elements having axially offset "openingstherein which arealignable andthrough which said lever extends, said openings beingdisposed relative to said lever such that said lever is. movable fromsaid off to said on position only on substantial alignment of saidopenings in predetermined positions thereof, en-

gageable first projection meanson said cover and one of said lockelements providing for rotation of said one lock element in response torotation of said cover, and engageable second projection means on saidlock elements providin-g for rotation of the other lock element inresponse to rotation of said one lock element, so that on preselectedrotation of said cover said lock elements are movable to saidpredetermined positions aligning said openings.

6. In combination with a control means provided with a pivotally movablebat handle actuating lever movable between on and o positions, acombination lock assembly for locking said lever in the off positionthereof, said lock assembly comprising a 'housinghavin-g a base mountedon said control means in a fixed position surrounding said lever, saidbase having an annular flange, a housing cover rotatably mounted on saidflange and having an opening therein through which said lever projects,said cover and said base cooperating to form an annular chambertherebetween surrounding said lever, a pair of lock elements rotatablysupported on said base flange and disposed in said chamber, spacer meanssupported in a fixed position on said flange and positioned between saidlock elements, said lock elements having axially ofiset openings thereinWhih. 31'6 ali-gnable, and through which said lever extends, saidopenings being disposed relative to said lever such that said lever ismovable from said off to said on position only on substantial alignmentof said openings in predetermined positions thereof, engageable firstprojection means on said cover and one of said lock elements providingfor rotation of said one look element in response to rotation of saidcover, and engageable second projection means on said lock element-sproviding for rotation of the other lock element in response to rotationof said one lock element, so that on preselected rotation of said coversaid lock elements are movable to said predetermined positions aligningsaid openings.

7. In combination with a switchhaving a threaded mounting stud and anactuating lever pivotally mounted at a position substantially axially ofsaid stud and movable between a pair of control positions, a combinationlock assembly comprising a housing having a substantially circular baseand a cover rotatably supported on said base, said base being secured tosaid stud so that said base is in a fixed position with respect to saidswitch, said housing having an opening therein through which said leverprojects, a pair of movable substantially circular lock elementsdisposed within said housing in a substantially coaxial relation withsaid base and in a face-to-face relation with each other, each of saidlock elements having an eccentric opening through which said leverextends and being movable to at least one position in which it blocksmovement of said lever from one control position to the other and to atleast one position in which it is out of the path of movement of saidlever from said one to the other position, a slip coupling ringfrictionally engaged with the peripheries of said lock elements androtatable with respect to said elements, coacting means on said coverand one element providing for rotation of said one element by saidcover, and coacting means on said base and the other element forpreventing rotation of said other element in one diw rection in oneposition thereof, whereby said cover is operable to first position saidelements in positions in which the openings therein are substantiallyaligned and then in positions out of the path of movement of said lever.

8. In combination with a switch having a pivotally mounted actuatinglever movable between a pair of control positions, a combination lockassembly comprising a housing having a base mounted at a fixed positionwith respect to said switch and a cover rotatably supported on saidbase, said base and said cover having openings therein through whichsaid lever extends for manual actuation outside said housing, aplurality of stacked lock discs positioned within said housing androtatably supported on said base, each of said discs having an open ingtherein through which said lever projects, engageable means on saidcover and on one of said discs operable to provide for rotation of saidone disc in response to rotation of said cover with said engageablemeans in engagement, engageable means on adjacent discs in said stackeddiscs operable to provide for rotation of others of said discs inresponse to rotation of said one disc with said engageable means inengagement so that on predetermined rotation of said cover all of saiddiscs are movable to position in which the openings therein provideclearance for movement of said lever between said two positions, andsaid cover being rotatable to position one or more of said discs in aposition blocking movement of said lever from one of said positions tothe other. I

9. In combination with a switch having a pivotally mounted actuatinglever movable between a pair of control positions, a combination lockassembly comprising a housing having a base mounted in a fixed positionwith respect to said switch and a cover rotatably supported on saidbase, said base and said cover having openings therein through whichsaid lever extends for manual actuation outside said housing, a pair ofstacked lock discs positioned within said housing, a slip couplingmember frictionally connecting said discs and rotatably supported onsaid base, each of said discs having an opening therein through whichsaid lever projects, engageable means on said cover and on one of saiddiscs operable to provide for rotation of said one discs in response torotation of said cover with said engageable means in engagement, saidslip coupling member being operable to provide for rotation of the otherof said discs in response to rotation of said one disc with saidengageable means in engagement, engageable means on said base and theother one of said discs operable to prevent rotation thereof by saidcoupling member so that on predetermined rota tion of said cover saiddiscs are movable to first positions in which the openings therein arealigned and second positions in which said openings provide clearancefor movement of said lever between said two positions.

10. In combination with a switch having a pivotally mounted actuatinglever movable between a pair of con trol positions, a combination lockassembly comprising a housing having a base mounted in a fixed positionwith respect to said switch and a cover rotatably supported on saidbase, said housing and cover having opening therein through which saidlever projects, a plurality of substantially annular coplanar lockelements disposed in said housing in a radially spaced relation so as tosubstantially surround said lever in one position thereof, said lockelements having substantially radially extending slots therein which inselected positions of said elements are substantially radially aligned,a lock block of a size to slide through said aligned slots and disposedin the slot in the radially inner one of said lock elements in said oneposition of said lever and movable through said slots to a positionprojecting into the slot in the radially outer one of said lock elementson movement of said lever to the other position thereof, firstengageable projection means on said cover and one of said lock elementsproviding for rotation of said one lock element in response to rotationof said cover with said projections engaged, and other engageableprojection means on adjacent ones of said lock elements so that saidcover is operable in response to predetermined back and forth rotationthereof to position said lock elements such that said slots aresubstantially aligned.

11. In combination with a switch having a pivotally mounted actuatinglever movable between a pair of control positions, a combination lockassembly comprising a housing having a base mounted in a fixed positionwith respect to said switch and a cover rotatably supported on saidbase, said housing and cover having openings therein through which saidlever projects, a plurality of substantially annular coplanar lockelements disposed in said housing in a radially spaced relation so as tosubstantially surround said lever in one position thereof, said lockelements having substantially radially extending slots 1 1 therein whichin selected positions of said elements are substantially radiallyaligned, a lock blockvof a size to slide through said aligned slots anddisposed in the slot in the radially inner one of said lock elements insaid one position of said lever and movable through said slots to aposition projecting into the slotin the radially outer one of said lockelements on movement of said lever to theother position thereof, firstengageable projection-means on said cover and one of said lock ele mentsproviding for rotation of said one lock elementiin response to'rotationof said cover with said projections engaged, Jother engageableprojection means onadjacent one of saidlock elements so thatsaidtcoveris operable in response 'to predetermined back and forthrotation thereofto position said lock elements such that said slots are substantiallyaligned, and coacting camimeans on the radially outer most lock elementand said lock block providing for movement of said block in a direction.to return said lever; from said other to said one position in responseto rotation of said outermost lock element by said cover.

12. Incombin-ation with a toggle switch of the type including a switchbody supporting a toggle mechanism with an actuating lever extendingtherefrom, the lever being pivotable between first and second stablepositions through an unstable center position which defines a switchaxis, a lock comprising a lock body mounted on theswitch between thefirst and second switch opera-ting positions. 1

'14. A combination lock for electrical switches and the likecomprising'a lock bodytdefining a cylindricalcavity; outer, intermediateand inner blocking 1 plates disposed 'in stacked relation in the cavity,and rotatably supported by the lock body, each ofthe. plates defining anon-circular opening extending through the, .center ;of rotation along areference axis of the plate, the intermediate and inner plates includinga driving elementand a driven element extending from opposite sidesthereof near, the periphery,

the driving and driven elements on each plate being angularly displacedfrom the reference: axis in accordance body, at least one blocking platedefining an elongated opening with the operating lever extendingtherethrough,

the plate being supported on the lock body for rotation about a lockaxis and being in an axial position displaced from the pivot point ofthe operating lever, said opening having one end centered on the lockaxis and having a width less than, and a length greater than, themovement of the operating lever, at said axial position, from the firststable position to the center unstable position, the lock axis beingdisplaced from the switch axis so that it extends through the operatinglever, at said axial position, when the lever is in its first stableposition whereby the blocking plate is rotatable about the lever to aposition in which the lever is pivotable to the second stable position,and a cover member rotatably mounted onthe lock body and drivinglyconnected with the blocking plate. 5

13. In combination with a toggleswitch of the type including a switchbody supporting a switch mechanism with anactuating lever pivotallymounted on the body and extending therefrom, said lever being pivotablebetween first and second switch operating positions, a combination lockcomprising a lock body mounted on ;the switch body, plural blockingplates rotatably supported on the lock body and defining an opening withthe switch operating lever extending therethrough, the openingdefined bythe plates with the plates in a predetermined rotative position beingelongated and having a width less than, and a length at least as greatas, the movement of the lever between the first and second switchoperating positions, a lost motion driving connection between successiveblocking plates, and a :lock operating member drivingly connectedwithone of the plates. whereby the with a predetermined code, the drivingand driven elements on adjacent plates being located at;the*same radial,

distance from the centerj of rotation and extending into overlappingrelation to efiecta lost motion driving engagement between successiveplates, the outer, plate being drivingly connected with a manuallyrotatable member and including a driving element extending from thelower side thereofinear the periphery whereby rotation of said outerplate in alternately opposite directions in accordance with thepredetermined code is eflfective to position the plates so, as to alignsaid openings.

15. In combination, a switch having an actuating handle movable betweena plurality of switch control positions, a combination lock assemblymounted on said switch so that said-handle projectsthrough said lockassembly,

bly being out of the path of movement of saidhandle fromsaid oneposition thereof to another'position of said handle, said lock assemblyincluding a pair of code elements which must be arranged in apredetermined relation with respect to each other and with respect tosaid handle in order to be out of said path of movement of said handle,supporting means rotatably supporting said code elements and maintainingsaid elements in predetermined relative planes of rotation, saidsupporting means being operable to transmit rotation of one code elementto the other and being operable to support said elements for relativerotation in response to oppositely directed rotative forces thereon. 2

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 561,524 6/1896Root -302'X 1,431,162 10/1922 Keplinger 70-306 2,491,595 12/1949Williams 200-43 2,523,943 9/1950 Ohoppa 20o 42 2,611,259 9/1952Berryetalb 70--302X 3,170,050 2/1965 Buturuga 200-42 FOREIGN PATENTS772,277 4/1957 Great Britain,

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. H. A; LEWITIER, vAssistantExaminer.

3. IN A COMBINATION LOCK ASSEMBLY, A HOUSING HAVING A ROTATABLE COVER, APLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR COACTING LOCK ELEMENTS DISPOSEDWITHIN SAID HOUSING, EACH OF SAID ELEMENTS BEING ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ATITS PERIPHERY ON SAID HOUSING AND HAVING AN ELONGATED OPENING THEREINEXTENDING THROUGH THE AXIS OF SAID ELEMENT, ACTUATING MEANS ON SAIDCOVER OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF SAID COVER TO MOVE ONE OF SAIDELEMENTS WHICH IS IN TURN OPERABLE TO MOVE ANOTHER ONE OF SAID ELEMENTS,SAID COVER MEANS BEING OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION THEREOF IN FIRSTONE DIRECTION AND THEN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO POSITION SAIDELEMENTS SUCH THAT THE OPENINGS THEREIN ARE SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED.